The MacCormack Method for axisymmetric external supersonic flows

Abstract

The Navier-Stokes equations are one of the pillars upon which rest the great edifice that is fluid mechanics. As such, they play an important role in the Aerospace Engineering curriculum, where, among other subjects, they are essential in the realm of aerodynamics. Nonetheless, the usual approach when teaching this discipline is to simplify these equations so that analytic or semi-analytic solutions can be obtained and explored. This project aims in an opposite direction: it will present a technique for the resolution of supersonic aerodynamic scenarios by means of a numerical integration of the almost complete Navier-Stokes equations. Thus, it will explain and implement a time-marching, MacCormack scheme and will show the results that can be obtained with it.